TSWPF -Chapter 69 Embarrassment

The moment Li Laifu saw Liu Zhimou’s actions, his eyes widened—Liu Zhimou actually knew the Shopkeeper of Fumanlou?

He had eaten at Fumanlou once before and had seen this Shopkeeper, so he recognized him.

“Today is your celebration for the new house. How could I not come and share in the joy?” The Shopkeeper laughed heartily and handed the gift he was carrying to Liu Zhimou.

Liu Zhimou thanked him and took it. “Please, Uncle Shopkeeper,” he said, glancing at Li Qingling and gesturing for her to follow.

The Shopkeeper noticed Liu Zhimou’s glance and, with a flicker in his eyes, smiled and followed him.

Li Laifu rolled his eyes but strode forward boldly. “Isn’t this the Shopkeeper of Fumanlou? I’m Xiaoling’s eldest uncle. It’s truly an honor to have you at our feast today!” he said pompously, exaggerating every word.

The Shopkeeper found it amusing but didn’t change his expression. He simply nodded at Li Laifu without responding to his words.

He had seen many people in his life and could instantly tell what kind of person Li Laifu was.

Besides, he had already investigated Li Qingling’s family and knew Li Laifu’s actions inside out.

Seeing the Shopkeeper ignore him, Li Laifu didn’t feel embarrassed and continued shamelessly flattering him.

He didn’t feel embarrassed, but Old Li certainly did. He clasped his hands behind his back and coughed forcefully a few times. Seeing Li Laifu ignore him, he frowned and spoke, “Laifu, let’s sit over here.” Was it really pleasant to stick your warm face to someone else’s cold backside?

Hearing Old Li speak, Li Laifu didn’t slow down. Without turning his head, he said, “Father, since the Shopkeeper came all the way here, I naturally have to share a few drinks with him.” Finally seeing the Shopkeeper of Fumanlou, he was determined to show off a bit.

If he could cozy up to Fumanlou, perhaps he could quickly get a house as big and spacious as this one.

Being contradicted by his son only made Old Li feel even more humiliated. He scowled at Li Laifu and strode toward an empty table.

Everyone present saw this scene, though no one dared laugh openly in front of Old Li.

Li Qingling smirked slightly and prepared to follow the Shopkeeper inside, but someone grabbed her wrist.

She looked back and saw it was Madam Liu. Calmly, she asked, “What is it?”

Madam Liu’s eyes lingered on the spacious, beautiful house, reluctant to blink. She thought to herself that she wished she could live here.

There was no denying it—Madam Liu and Li Laifu were indeed mother and son; their thoughts were very much alike.

“Xiaoling, did Liu Zhimou really pay for this house himself?” she asked cautiously, running her hand along the wall.

Li Qingling immediately knew what Madam Liu was thinking.

“Grandma, didn’t you just hear? He did indeed pay for the house. The three of us siblings are just temporarily living here.”

Madam Liu squinted at Li Qingling, still unconvinced. “You’re not tricking me, are you? You don’t even own half of this house?” Previously, she had sold egg pancakes with Liu Zhimou—wasn’t the money supposed to be shared?

It didn’t seem likely to her.

Li Qingling smiled faintly at Madam Liu and said calmly, “Grandma, I swear, I have absolutely nothing to do with this house.” She had even sworn—surely Madam Liu would believe her now.

After scrutinizing Li Qingling’s expression and seeing no hint of deceit, Madam Liu let go of her hand, patting her own palm as if brushing off something dirty.

Li Qingling found it amusing. She gave her a faint glance and turned to go inside—but again, her wrist was grabbed.

Looking back, it was Madam Liu once more.

Without giving Madam Liu a chance to react, Li Qingling tugged her hand back firmly and lightly patted the wrist that had been grabbed.

This “slap-in-the-face” gesture left Madam Liu’s face turning green, but thinking of what she wanted to ask, she forced herself to hold back.

“Xiaoling, that gentleman who arrived by carriage earlier—his family must be very wealthy, right? How does Liu Zhimou know him?” She noted his attire, completely different from theirs, and his manner, which clearly marked him as a rich man.

No wonder Liu Zhimou could afford such a spacious, beautiful house—he had tied himself to a wealthy family.

If her son could also get close to him, perhaps her family could have a house like this too.

The thought made Madam Liu’s heart race with excitement.

Li Qingling immediately understood Madam Liu’s intentions. She shrugged innocently. “I don’t know, Grandma. If you really want to know, you can ask Brother Zhimou; he might tell you.” She didn’t want to linger in this tug-of-war, so she found an excuse. “Grandma, I’m busy right now, so I won’t chat with you. Please go take your seat—Grandpa is waiting.” She pointed behind Madam Liu and, as Madam Liu turned, she walked away.

She reached the main hall for receiving guests. Before entering, she heard Li Laifu’s sycophantic voice.

She rolled her eyes silently and lifted the curtain to go in.

The Shopkeeper saw her and called out, “Miss Xiaoling.”

Li Qingling smiled and greeted him, then sat down beside Liu Zhimou.

Li Laifu glared at her and frowned, speaking as if he were the guest: “This is a men’s conversation space. What is a girl doing here? Get out!” Li Qingling truly had no manners—this was not a place for her.

Li Qingling looked at him amusedly. Before she could respond, the Shopkeeper said, “Li Gongzi, I have some matters to discuss with Zhimou and Miss Xiaoling. Could you step out for now?” He had been sitting, and this buzzing fly next to him had been driving him crazy.

The Shopkeeper thought he had made it clear enough that Li Laifu would leave, but didn’t expect his face to be so thick-skinned.

“Shopkeeper, what could you possibly have to discuss with them? They’re still children. You might as well tell me, and I can give you some advice,” Li Laifu said.

Li Qingling: “…”. She had seen shameless people, but not someone this shameless. He made her feel embarrassed for him.

Liu Zhimou: “…”. Shamelessness unmatched in the world—he had heard this from Li Qingling and thought it suited Li Laifu perfectly.

The Shopkeeper remained silent, calmly watching Li Laifu. After a while, Li Laifu began to feel cold sweat forming on his back and realized he could no longer maintain his smile.

He clenched his fists, forced a smile at the Shopkeeper, and said, “I should get to my seat where my father is waiting. I’ll have a few drinks with you later.” Without waiting for a response, he hurried out.

Yet he remained curious about what was being discussed inside.

As he sneaked toward the door, straining to listen, a small knife suddenly flew out from somewhere and embedded itself in the doorframe beside him. He froze, staring at the trembling knife and swallowing hard.

Meanwhile, the Shopkeeper’s voice came from the hall: “Shadow, guard the door. Don’t let any random person come near. And if anyone approaches, don’t hold back—handle it as you see fit.”

Hearing this, Li Laifu was so scared that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He abandoned his eavesdropping plans—his life was more important.

Once Li Laifu left, the Shopkeeper smiled at Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou. “Now that irrelevant people are gone, we can discuss our matters. Xiaoling, how are your rabbits coming along? Ready for sale?” He didn’t know how Li Qingling raised them, but the rabbits were fat, tender, and carried a fresh aroma that guests loved.

The only downside was the small quantity—only twenty or thirty at a time, so they had to wait for the next batch.

Guests always had to reserve in advance to get them.

Yet this scarcity made the rabbits more precious and allowed her to set a higher price.

Even so, many guests still wanted them.

Li Qingling thought of her white, tender rabbits at home and nodded to the Shopkeeper. “They’ll be ready in a few days.”

She had planned to send the rabbits to Fumanlou after the new house celebration, never expecting the Shopkeeper to come personally.

This was good news. The Shopkeeper almost smiled like a Buddha. “Excellent. I’ll notify the guests who reserved to come and eat—they’ve been waiting a long time.”

“Xiaoling, how many will be ready this batch?”

“Forty.”

“That’s still too few. You could raise more.” The Shopkeeper shook his head, somewhat dissatisfied. “And what about your chickens? Are they laying eggs yet?” Having tasted the rabbits, he was now excited for eggs too.

Li Qingling clasped her hands together, smiling. “Once I buy the neighboring hill, I’ll expand the breeding.” She had planned this early—after the new house was done, she would buy the nearby hill for raising rabbits and chickens. “As for the hens laying eggs, I’m not sure of the timing. But you can rest assured, Uncle Shopkeeper. The first eggs laid will be sent to you to taste.”

“Good, good. I’ll be waiting.” The Shopkeeper nodded happily—this trip was definitely worth it.

Seeing him so happy, Li Qingling suggested, “Uncle Shopkeeper, would you like to take a tour of our new house?”